Tuckpointing Might Be What Your Chimney Needs

Any chimney or fireplace is going to automatically increase home appeal and value while offering numerous enjoyable moments. The problem is that sooner or later all masonry chimneys need some sort of repair done. Mortar joints end up damaged, mainly due to moisture that damages rock masonry. This is where tuckpointing comes in, a process that will stop destructive element processes.

Do You Need Truckpointing?

Chimney bricks have a lifespan of around 100 years but mortar wears off much faster than that. Based on how much excess water exposure is present and harsh weather conditions, mortar will last twenty five years. As the mortar joints are damaged, tuckpointing becomes necessary for the homeowner to repair all affected areas. Unfortunately, the only other option is to wait until joints deteriorate and chimneys eventually collapse. In that situation rebuilding is needed. This has a much higher repair cost.

How Is Tuckpointing Performed?

According to specialists at PointBrik Tuckpointing, the main idea is to remove damaged mortar and use fresh mortar to replace it. When a chimney is fixed, the steps made are the following:

Routing or grounding old mortar at proper uniform depths.

Filling mortar with new grooves.

Cutting strips inside new mortar to form the grooves.

Filling grooves with a suitable mortar color that will match the original design on structure outside.

Tuckpointing Benefits

No matter what many believe, tuckpointing stands out as a vital procedure needed to preserve chimney life. Various benefits are automatically visible, including:

Mortar joint corrosion is stopped.

Water is prevented from entering the system. When mortar joints are not properly repaired, water is going to enter the chimney and even the area between it and flue lining. Serious unseen damage is going to be caused by moisture, like mildew, rotting wood and mold. At the same time, wallpaper and ceiling round chimneys can easily become stained.

Chimney structural stability is automatically restored. If the repair does not happen, the structure is going to be weaker. Eventually, chimneys lean or even collapse.

The costs associated with tuckpointing are much lower than rebuilding and tearing down an old chimney. You basically do not have to completely replace an existing chimney structure anymore.

Chimney masonry materials end up looking exact as they did when they were initially built.

Home value will be improved because masonry is in a top structural condition and appearance is appealing.

Should You Do Tuckpointing Work?

Sooner or later some tuckpointing work is going to be necessary for absolutely all chimneys. This is a certainty. Unfortunately, you cannot do such work alone. It is always really important that you hire professionals to take care of everything that is needed since this is the only way to guarantee that results will be as good as they have to be. Make sure that you shop around and that you find those professionals that have a great reputation in the area where you live. Ask for price quotes and take a look at portfolios. This helps you make a good choice at the end of the day.